ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to visit Mongolia
First Ever Visit by Indian Defence Minister to strategic East Asian Country
Giving push to strategic partnership with East Asian countries, Raksha Shri Rajnath Singh will pay an official visit to Mongolia from 05-07 September, 2022. The upcoming visit by Raksha Mantri is the first ever visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Mongolia and will further consolidate the defence cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries.
During the visit, Shri Rajnath Singh will hold bilateral talks with Mongolia’s Minister of Defence, Lt Gen. Saikhanbayar. He shall call on the President of Mongolia, H.E. Mr. U. Khurelsukh and Chairman of the State Great Khural of Mongolia, H.E. Mr. G Zandanshatar. The two democracies have a common interest infostering peace and prosperity in the entire region.
India and Mongolia share a strategic partnership and the defence is a key pillar of this partnership. The bilateral defence engagements with Mongolia have been expanding over a period of time to include wide ranging contacts between the two countries, including Joint Working Group meeting, military to military exchanges, high level visits, capacity building and training programmes and bilateral exercises.
During bilateral talks, the two Defence Ministers shall review the bilateral defence cooperation between India and Mongolia,and explore new initiatives to further strengthen bilateral engagements. The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and global issues of shared interest.
Ministry of Finance
Clarification regarding GST on supply of food and drinks in educational institutions.
With a view to remove any doubt or uncertainty regarding rate of GST applicable on supply of food and drinks in educational institutions, it is clarified that: -
i. GST rate on supply of food and drinks in a mess or canteen in an educational institution attracts GST at 5% without INPUT Tax Credit .
ii. If schools up to higher secondary level supply food directly to students, then the same are exempt from GST."
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
BAN on GM CROPS
Bt. cotton is the only Genetically Modified  crop approved in 2002 by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for commercial cultivation in the Country and, therefore, cultivation of other unapproved GM crops are banned in India. Few incidences of suspected open cultivation of Bt. brinjal and HT cotton were reported in Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare has issued advisories to States to take appropriate necessary action to curb and control the spread of Bt. Brinjal and HT cotton. State Governments have given the directions to all District Administration to take necessary legal steps to curb the production and selling of illegal GM crops.
There is a well established regulatory framework for approval of GM Crops as per “Rules for the Manufacture/Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms, Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989” under the Environment  Act, 1986 in the Country.
Evaluation of each application of GM crop is done on a case-to-case basis after a thorough examination of health, environment, food and feed safety assessment studies undertaken in a systematic and scientific manner as per prescribed guidelines, manuals and standard operating procedures stipulated by various regulatory agencies under the Rules, 1989 from time to time. The data generated by the applicants is reviewed at every step in the development process of GM crops by various Statutory Committees under the Rules, 1989 such as Institutional Biosafety Committee, Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation and Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee.
A series of guidelines and protocols have been issued by Department of Biotechnology and Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change relating to Genetically Modified Organisms and product thereof as under:
- Recombinant DNA Safety Guidelines, 1990
- Revised Guidelines for Research in Transgenic Plants, 1998
- Guidelines for the Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Genetically Engineered Plants, 2008
- Guidelines for the monitoring of Confined Field Trials of Regulated, Genetically Engineered  Plants, 2008
- Standard Operating Procedures  for Confined Field Trials of Regulated, Genetically Engineered  Plants, 2008
- Protocol for Food and Feed Safety Assessment of GE crops, 2008
- Guidelines and Handbook for Institutional Bio-safety Committees , 2011
- Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Plants: A Guide for Stakeholders, 2016
- Guidelines for the Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Plants, 2016.
x Risk Analysis Framework, 2016.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Ministry of Civil Aviation grants drone use permission to 10 organizations
Ministry of Civil Aviation  and Directorate General of Civil Aviation  have granted conditional exemption from Unmanned Aircraft System  Rules, 2021 to 10 organizations.
The detail of these permissions include:
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S. No.
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Entity Name
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Purpose
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1
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Government of Karnataka
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Drone based aerial survey for creating urban property ownership records in Bengaluru
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2
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National Health Mission, Mumbai
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For conducting experimental BVLOS drone flights to deliver essential healthcare items in tribal areas of Jawhar in Palghar district of Maharashtra
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3
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Gangtok Smart City Development
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Drone based aerial survey for Smart City Project
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4
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Steel Authority of India, IISCO Steel Plant, Burnpur, West Bengal
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For conducting perimeter surveillance of the plant
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5
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Asia Pacific Flight Training Academy, Hyderabad, Telangana
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For conducting remote pilot training using drones
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6
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Blue Ray Aviation, Gujarat
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For conducting remote pilot training using drones
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7
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Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, Chennai
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For conducting drone based aerial spraying to assess crop health & prevent crop disease
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8
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Mahindra & Mahindra, Mumbai, Maharashtra
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For conducting drone based agricultural trials & precision spraying on paddy & hot pepper crop in the state of Telangana & Andhra Pradesh respectively
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9
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Bayer Crop Science, Mumbai, Maharashtra
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For conducting drone based agricultural research activities & agricultural spraying
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10
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Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune
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For atmospheric research at these 5 locations:
-IITM Bhopal
-NDA, Pune
-Karad Airport
-Osmanabad Airport
- Mohammed Airfield,Farrukhabad
These exemptions are valid for a period of one year from the date of approval or until further orders, whichever is earlier and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the SOP issued by DGCA.
The link to the public notices can be accessed from the Ministry of Civil Aviation website.
Ministry of Tourism
Ministry of Tourism is promoting Buddhist Circuit to increase India’s share in global tourism market – Tourism Minister
With a view to showcase and project the Buddhist Heritage in India and boost tourism to the Buddhist destinations in the country, Ministry of Tourism organises the International Buddhist Conclave biennially with participation of tour operators, Media, opinion makers etc. from overseas as well as Indian stakeholders.
MoT has also produced two films viz. ‘India – The Land of Buddha’ and ‘Following the path of the Buddha’ which have been promoted on electronic and digital media, and at Road Shows and Know India Seminars etc. organised by the India Tourism Offices overseas. MoT also has a dedicated section for the promotion of Buddhist heritage and destinations on its promotional website.
MoT has identified the Buddhist Circuit as one of the fifteen thematic circuits for development under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. MoT has sanctioned five projects for Rs. 355.26 Crore under the Buddhist Circuit theme covering the States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh and work on all the projects is under implementation.
Financial support is also extended under the Marketing Development Assistance Scheme to approved service providers and State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for promotional activities undertaken by them in the overseas markets such as Sales Tours, Participation in Travel Fairs/ Exhibitions and Road Shows.
Ministry of Tourism  promotes India as a holistic destination in the tourism generating markets to promote various Indian tourism products and tourism destinations of the country including the Buddhist Circuit to increase India’s share of the global tourism market.
The above objectives are met through an integrated marketing and promotional strategy, and a synergized campaign in association with the Travel Trade, State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and Indian Missions. The specific elements of promotional efforts undertaken overseas include advertising in Print, Electronic, Online, Outdoor and Social Media, participation in international Fairs & Exhibitions, organising Know India Seminars, Workshops, Road Shows and India Evenings, Brochure Support, Joint Advertising with Travel Agents / Tour Operators, organising and supporting Indian Food and cultural festivals, publication of brochures and inviting tour operators, media personalities, opinion makers etc. to visit the country under the Hospitality Programme of the Ministry.
This information was given by the Minister of State  of Culture and Tourism, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Active Caseload further contracts to 4.35 Lakhs
Daily New Recoveries outnumber Daily New Cases
India’s active cases today stand at 4,35,603, much below the 5-lakh mark. The share of Active Cases in the total Positive Cases has further shrunk to 4.60%.
The daily recoveries exceeding new cases has ensured a total net reduction of the Active Caseload. A net decline of 11,349 cases has been recorded in the total active cases in last 24 hours.
31,118 new cases were added to the national tally in the last 24 hours.
While some States  have witnessed a decline in the active caseload in the past 24 hours, others such as Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Assam and Goa have reported an addition to their caseload.
In contrast to 31,118 new reported cases, 41,985 cases have recovered in the last 24 hours.
The total recovered cases stand at 88,89,585 which translates to a Recovery Rate of 93.94%. The gap between Recovered cases and Active cases continues to grow and presently stands at 84,53,982.
76.82% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs.
Kerala reported the maximum number of single day recoveries with 6,055 recoveries. Delhi follows with 5,824 new recoveries.
77.79% of the new cases are concentrated in 10 States and UTs.
Maharashtra reported the maximum daily new cases numbering 3,837 in the last 24 hours. Delhi recorded 3,726 new cases while Kerala reported 3,382 new cases yesterday.
Ten States/UTs account for 81.12% of the 482 case fatalities reported in the past 24 hours.
22.4% of new fatalities reported are from Delhi which reported 108 deaths. Maharashtra and West Bengal follow with 80 and 48 new deaths, respectively.
Ministry of Mines
Mineral Production during January 2020 
The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector for the month of January 2020  at 124.3, was 4.4% higher as compared to the level in the month of January, 2019. The cumulative growth for the period April- January, 2019-20 over the corresponding period of previous year has been  1.0 percent. Mining & Mineral Statistics Division of Indian Bureau of Mines functions as the nodal agency for statistics on mineral sector and releases this information.
Production levels of important minerals in January, 2020 were: Coal 750 lakh tonnes, Lignite 45 lakh tonnes, Natural gas  2528 million cu. m., Petroleum  27 lakh tonnes, Bauxite 2146 thousand tonnes, Chromite 445 thousand tonnes, Copper conc. 12 thousand tonnes, Gold 160 kg, Iron ore 229 lakh tonnes, Lead conc. 36 thousand tonnes, Manganese ore 265 thousand tonnes, Zinc conc. 137 thousand tonnes, Apatite & Phosphorite 154 thousand tonnes, Limestone 336 lakh tonnes, Magnesite 7 thousand tonnes and Diamond 2437 carat.
The production of important minerals showing positive growth during January, 2020 over January, 2019 include: ‘Phosphorite’ , ‘Zinc conc.’ , ‘Iron ore’ , ‘Coal’ , ‘Manganese ore’ , ‘Gold’  and ‘Lead conc.’ . The production of other important minerals showing negative growth is: ‘Chromite’ [ 19.1%], ‘Natural gas ’ [ 8.8%], ‘Bauxite’ [ 6.4%], ‘Petroleum ’ [ 5.3%], ‘Lignite’ [ 3.8%], ‘Copper conc.’ [ 2.7%] and ‘Limestone’ [ 1.6%].
Prime Minister's Office
PM releases Commemorative Coin of Rs. 350 to mark birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh jee
Says, Guru Gobind Singh’s teachings show the path of humanity
PM greets the nation on Lohri
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released today a commemorative coin of Rs. 350 in the national capital to mark the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh jee. He lauded the lofty ideals and values of the Guru Gobind Singh jee – the selfless service to humanity, devotion, heroism and sacrifice and urged the people to follow his path.
The Prime Minister was addressing a select gathering at his residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg after releasing the commemorative coin to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh jee. Mr. Modi said that Guru Gobind Singh ji was a great warrior, philosopher poet and guru. He fought against oppression and injustice. His teachings to people focused on breaking the barriers of religion and caste. His message of love, peace and sacrifice are equally relevant today.
The Prime Minister said that Guru Gobind Singh Ji , his values and teachings will continue to be the source of inspiration and the guiding spirit for the mankind in years to come. He added that the Commemorative Coin is a small effort on our part to show our respect and reverence to him. He urged the people to make a resolve to walk the talk on the 11-point path shown by Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj.
The Prime Minister greeted the nation on Lohri on this occasion.
The Prime Minister earlier urged the people of the country to follow the path of devotion and sacrifice for the nation along the lines of Guru Gobind Singh jee in his monthly radio program, Mann Ki Baat on December 30, 2018. He attended the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh in Patna on January 5, 2017 and released a commemorative postage stamp to mark the occasion. Mr. Modi also recalled the ideals and values of Guru Gobind Singh jee’s as the core of humanity at the Independence Day Address from the ramparts of Red Fort on 15th August, 2016 and then at the National MSME Awards Ceremony in Ludhiana on 18th October., 2016.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 147.72 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 17.97 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
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VACCINE DOSES
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SUPPLIED
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1,47,72,11,135
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BALANCE AVAILABLE
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17,97,34,311
More than 147.72 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 17.97 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Secretary Ministry of I&B to convene meeting regarding publicity for Amarnathji Yatra 2022
Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, Shri Apurva Chandra is convening a meeting tomorrow in Srinagar regarding wide publicity to be carried for the upcoming Shri Amarnathji Yatra, scheduled for 30th June, 2022 till 11th August, 2022.
Secretary, Ministry of I&B, along with Chief Secretary, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Arun Kumar Mehta, and Nitishwar KUMAR, CEO, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Shri Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, Government of J&K and senior officers from the Central Government - Joint Secretary Ministry of I&B, Shri Vikram Sahay, Principal Director General , All India Radio Shri N.V. Reddy , Director General, Doordarshan, Shri Mayank Agrawal, Additional Director General, Press Information Bureau Srinagar, Shri Rajinder Choudhry and other senior officials, among others, will attend the meeting.
Deliberations will be carried out to amplify the information around the yatra this year which will useful for the prospective yatrees. Publicity activities will be planned by various media units of the Ministry of I&B in conjuncture with the J&K Administration throughout the period of pilgrimage.
Senior officers of Ministry of I&B are on a visit to the Union Territory of J&K in this connection.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Adherence to PLCP
The Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy was formulated by the Committee of Secretaries under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary on 10th January, 2014 and every Ministry/Department is required to adhere to the decision taken there under and give effect to the said policy.The Ministry of Law and Justice does not maintain any record relating to compliance by the Ministries/Departments with the Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy.
Paragraph 9.2  of Chapter 9 of the Manual of Parliamentary Procedure in the Government of India provides that the Ministry/Department concerned will formulate the legislative proposals in consultation with all the interested persons and authorities concerned, including a discussion on the necessity for the proposed legislation and all matters of substance to be embodied therein. Every Ministry/Department has to comply with this requirement.
However, paragraph 11 of the Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy gives sufficient leeway for the Ministry/Department to eschew the Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy on the ground that it is not feasible or desirable so to do.
This information was given by Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Law and Justice, in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
NIPCCD organizes State Level Master’s Training  Programme on ‘Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi’ in Mohali
National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development  under Ministry of Women and Child Development organized a Two Day State Level Master’s Training  Programme on ‘Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi’ for the State of Punjab on 7-8 August, 2023 at NIPCCD Regional Centre, Mohali. 29 Participants attended the Programme.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Uzbekistan on cooperation in pharmaceutical sector
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding  between India and Uzbekistan for increased cooperation in the areas of Trade, Industry, and Research & Development of Pharmaceutical products. The MoU will be signed during the visit of President of Uzbekistan to India on 1st October 2018.
In view of the importance of the growth of the pharmaceutical Industry in both countries and importance of mutual cooperation in trade, production, research and development in the pharmaceutical sector, both Governments have been trying to establish a formal mechanism of bilateral cooperation. The MoU will explore the possibilities for the production of medicines, including Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients  in different therapeutic segments in both countries. It will also exchange information on trade and registration procedures, legal and regulatory requirements for export and import of pharmaceuticals products, including APIs. The MoU will increase cooperation with the Republic of Uzbekistan in the areas of Trade, Industry and Research & Development of Pharmaceutical products.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government approves assistance for 7 journalists and 35 families of journalists under Journalist Welfare Scheme
16 families of journalists who lost their lives due to Covid-19 to get Government assistance
The Central Government has approved a proposal of the Journalist Welfare Scheme Committee headed by Sh. Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of information and Broadcasting, to provide financial relief to the families of 35 journalists who have lost their lives. This includes 16 families of journalists who died due to Covid-19 under the Journalist Welfare Scheme . The families will be provided with assistance up to Rs. 5 lakhs.
The JWS Committee also recommended assistance to two journalists suffering from permanent disability and to five journalists for their medical treatment of major ailments as per the JWS guidelines. The committee has approved a total assistance of Rs. 1.81 Cr during the meeting.
So far, assistance under the scheme has been provided to 123 families of the journalists who have lost their lives due to Covid-19. With the current approvals, in the current meeting a total of 139 families have been provided assistance.
Under the scheme, the families of journalists are provided with financial assistance up to Rs 5 lakh in the event of the death of the journalist causing extreme hardship. Assistance is also provided to journalists in case of permanent disability, serious accidents and major health ailments.
During the last financial year, 134 journalists and their families were provided assistance under various categories amounting to Rs. 6.47 Crore.
The JWS committee meeting was attended by Shri Jaideep Bhatnagar, Principal Director General, PIB, Shri Vikram Sahay, Joint Secretary  along with the journalist representatives of the Committee, Sh. Santosh Thakur, Sh. Amit Kumar, Sh. Umeshwar Kumar, Ms Sarjana Sharma, Sh. Raj Kishore Tiwari and Sh. Ganesh Bisht.
Journalists and their families can apply for assistance under the Journalist Welfare Scheme  through the PIB website at https://accreditation.pib.gov.in/jws/default.aspx
Saurabh Singh
(Visitor Counter : 2256
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President pays tribute to the martyrs of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks
The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has paid tribute to the martyrs of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. Remembering the martyrs of the terror attack he said -
“My tributes to all those who lost their lives in the dastardly Mumbai terror attack of 2008. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families.
I salute the bravery and devotion of our security personnel who laid down their lives to protect the motherland. The nation shall forever remain grateful to their sacrifices.”